Letter to the Editor "An open letter to the Minister for Immigration"


Senator Chris Evans
Minister for Immigration
Parliament House
Canberra


Dear Senator Evans,

The Rudd government's recent introduction of "special category visas" has allowed some foreign residents to buy "used" houses in Australia.  It has been reported that up to fifty percent of homes in the best suburbs of Melbourne, for example, are now being purchased by people living overseas.  Even worse, many of these foreign buyers are leaving these homes empty in the hope of simply making capital gains.  Many of these purchasers are officials of the Chinese Communist Party.

Clearly the effects of these changes include putting even more upward pressure on rents and home prices.  It seems to me that this is outrageous.  Government policy should be aimed at making it easier, not harder, for people who are living in Australia, to buy homes.  We should discourage speculation in our homes, which are so central to our quality of life.  

I urge you to do all that you can to immediately reverse this misguided policy.


Peter Kavanagh

DLP Member for Western Victoria
Parliament House
Melbourne